Darek Gorecki

Professor Darek Gorecki is a Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the Faculty of Science & Health and the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on muscular dystrophies, purinergic signaling pathways, and neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on the role of P2X7 purinoceptors and dystrophin-related proteins in disease mechanisms and therapy. He leads studies into gene therapy, drug delivery systems (including nanoparticle-based approaches for brain delivery), and the molecular basis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and related conditions.

His work spans translational research, including investigations into ectopic calcification, inflammation, and cellular repair mechanisms. He collaborates internationally on projects addressing the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies and developing therapeutic strategies. Professor Gorecki supervises PhD students and is part of the Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare at the University of Portsmouth.

Key research themes include: (1) Role of purinergic receptors in muscle and neuronal pathologies, (2) Dystrophin variants in cancer and muscle diseases, (3) Nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery, and (4) Mechanisms of immunogenicity in gene therapies. His publications highlight advancements in understanding dystrophic brain abnormalities, P2X7-mediated mitochondrial exchange, and biomaterial engineering.